Welcome to this week’s Sunday Edition of The Backlot, which will be focusing on sharing personal experiences, commentary on trending topics, and providing resources for emerging filmmakers.
NOTE - This is the free edition of this newsletter. Paid editions of this newsletter will go live in May, with mid-week deeper dives into these topics, interviews with other filmmakers, access to a broader range of resources, and much more…
This week, we’re going to start discussing the rise of AI in the film industry, and what the implications are for emerging filmmakers.
Before we get started, here is a breakdown of this week’s topics…
🖥️ The Rise in AI and what it means for upcoming filmmakers
🎬 How to grow your network and community when you live outside the major film production hubs
🗞️A few unconventional ways to learn about making films and working in the industry
Artificial Intelligence and Film
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, writer and director Tyler Perry, best known for the Madea films, told the interviewer that the release of OpenAI’s Sora put his studio expansion on hold.
“I was in the middle of, and have been planning for the last four years, about an $800 million expansion at the studio, which would’ve increased the backlot a tremendous size,” Perry recently told The Hollywood Reporter. “All of that is currently and indefinitely on hold because of Sora and what I’m seeing”
Perry noted that from a business perspective, using AI could greatly benefit his studio’s bottom line by cutting location and travel costs. Still, he also acknowledged this transformation would have a major effect on individuals in the industry.
“I’m also very concerned about all the people that I have trained and brought up in this industry. I’m concerned about what will happen to them,” says Perry.
The Hollywood Reporter interview has taken the film industry by storm, and many see Perry’s comments as a sort of warning for the future of the film business.
The question is - how serious of a warning is it?
Before we dive any deeper, for anyone who hasn’t seen the OpenAI Sora preview, I will link it here.
On February 15th, OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT, announced Sora, a new text-to-video AI software. The announcement included roughly 10 minutes of AI-generated content showcasing the video capabilities of the model. The content included scenes of individuals walking the streets of Tokyo, a group of dogs playing in a field, and drone shots of vast landscapes.
Researchers trained the model using publicly available videos, and it learned to create 3D graphics and different angles on its own.
Sora isn’t currently available to the public, and OpenAI has acknowledged that it still has issues with physics, differentiating spatial dynamics, and understanding cause and effect.
Still, it’s caught the industry's attention, and people are starting to wonder what this means for the future of film production.
Currently, most of the discussions around the use of AI are speculation, but people are still nervous about the future.
Last year, during the WGA (Writer’s Guild of America) and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild) strikes, AI was a major friction point. Read through any filmmaking forums, and you’ll find a number of questions about the new technology. Even industry conferences and film festivals are holding panels and talks about what this means for the future of certain industries, jobs, and productions.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been talking with some film industry folks about Sora to see how people feel about this new technology.
Truthfully, the vast majority of responses have come down to two emotions - nerves and anger.
Many individuals are nervous about the presence of these programs, not necessarily because they can create movies of high-quality work but because it may change the way executives, funders, and other industry gatekeepers view the work that goes into films.
As mentioned last week, filmmaking is a business, which means anything the people running that business can do to increase their profit margins, they will. The better these programs get, the more likely they will use them. And the more likely it will impact the individuals working in the industry.
A lot of people are also angry about the new technology. Outside of the industry, there has been an overwhelmingly positive response to Sora. Filmmaking is already an underrated practice, so the prospect of people telling you that your work will be replaced by a program that can barely render a minute of footage is understandbly, frustrating.
Outside of the fear and anger, though, I do believe people are taking AI very seriously and starting to figure out how it will affect the future of film.
At the moment, the technology isn’t anywhere near the capability to produce a full film, and truthfully, I’m not sure it will ever get there.
Filmmaking is too much of a human endeavor that requires contemplation, creativity, emotion, and, most importantly, failure. Films are perfectly imperfect because humans make them. They cannot be concocted by code or rendered by an algorithm; they need direction, alteration, and human authenticity.
Let me be clear, though - just because films aren’t under threat doesn't mean this technology isn’t going to change the process. And this is where I believe this is a turning point for the film industry.
The immediate impacts of AI will happen by slowly integrating into the process, aiming for greater efficiency in production and cutting down the cost of human labor.
We’re likely to see productions use these programs to support processes in animation, visual effects, and storyboarding.
Which is why we still need to be prepared for changes, because whether we like it or not - this is happening. The rise of AI is an unstoppable train barreling down the tracks. Much like the internet in the late 1990s, this software and technology will fundamentally change our society and existence.
As reluctant as I’ve been to accept this, I know it’s true, which is why I believe it’s in our best interest to learn to adapt and find new ways to grow with the technology. In that way, we can learn to view AI as a tool that can better our work instead of seeing it as our replacement.
I hope this pushes us to be more authentic with our storytelling, craft a stronger connection with our peers, and find new ways to appreciate the beauty of being human.
Because right now, that’s quickly becoming our greatest asset, being human.
The growth of AI will be a recurring topic for The Backlot. I will be continuing to discuss the latest advancements, discussions, and effects of AI on our industry. In the future, we will dive into the much bigger nuances of the industry - discussing its role in indie film, the ways it’s affecting the screenwriting industry, and why AI had such a major presence in the SAG-AFTRA actor’s strike.
How to Grow Your Network Outside of Film Hubs
As I write this, I am currently staring out my office window as a couple of inches of snow slowly accumulates in my backyard. In other words, I am not in Los Angeles.
For the last few years, while working in filmmaking and writing, I’ve been living in Central Oregon, where there isn’t much of a film industry. For myself, this means one of the hardest things about working in the industry has been a lack of community and network.
When you live outside the major film hubs of Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta, the lack of community can feel like a major inhibitor of progress and growth.
For anyone who is facing a similar dilemma and trying to find ways to work in this industry from other locations, let me tell you, you can make it work.
To do that, you’ll have to get creative with your network and community building. That’s why I wanted to share a few ways I’ve helped grow my network without moving to the Hollywood Hills or the Upper East Side.
Use Social Media
Yes, I know this one seems obvious, but it’s genuinely one of the best ways to connect with other filmmakers. Whether following other filmmakers on Instagram, joining a Reddit forum, or connecting with the community through other channels, social media can be a powerful tool when used correctly.
Personally, I have a very love-and-hate relationship with social media, but I have started learning to use it in a productive and healthy way. I’ve learned to approach online conversations differently, using them to connect with people personally instead of seeing them as a chance to ask for things or pitch my project.
In that way, I’ve established friendships, personal connections, and started to grow a community of creatives who help provide advice, counsel, and inspiration.
In addition, I’ve recently started using Portrait, a social media platform that provides community posts, job listings, and deadlines for anyone working in the industry. Although it’s still new and growing, the platform is a great place to connect with other filmmakers, keep tabs on the latest projects, and learn from the work of other established professionals.
Attend Industry Events & Festivals
Truthfully, film festivals are one of the most magical places on the planet. So much creativity, artistry, and innovation is happening in one little area -it’s really beautiful.
These can be great places to connect with filmmakers and industry members because most people at film festivals are in a good mood, open to connections, and inspired to work with new people. I can almost guarantee you’ll run into someone who wants to talk about their work, hear about your experiences, and nerd out over the latest camera technology or indie feature.
Attending a film festival doesn't mean you have to have a film in the festival either - you can go to just watch good movies, learn what other people are doing, and celebrate your fellow filmmakers.
Attend Virtual Events
Online events and panels are another good way to connect with filmmakers virtually.
These virtual discussions have become a lot more common since the pandemic. They can range from discussions on documentary films to screenwriter panels to Q&A sessions with distributors.
Although these events aren’t always the best for building personal relationships, they can help you learn more, and you can always reach out and connect with other individuals attending the event.
There are so many options in the industry, but I’ve had a lot of luck with the International Documentary Association (IDA), FilmIndependent, and the Sundance Institute.
Unconventional Ways to Learn Filmmaking
Over the past few years, I’ve spent a lot of time wandering around in the dark, trying to figure out where I’m going and how to get there. Through that process, I’ve found a few unconventional ways to learn about filmmaking without attending film school or interning on a Hollywood production.
These ways are helpful for anyone looking to grow their craft, get started in the industry, and learn more about the process of making a movie.
YouTube
Yep, you knew it was coming. One of the greatest assets for learning how to do, well, anything, is through YouTube. There are so many fantastic channels out there that are finding ways to teach filmmaking, either through firsthand experiences or educational formats.
Some of my favorites have been FilmCourage, Indy Mogul (honestly, their producer videos helped me so much when I started out), and documentary filmmaker Mark Bone.
Read & Listen to Stories About Film
Over the years, one of the biggest assets to my growth has been learning about the world of film through interviews, articles, and books by other filmmakers.
I’ve learned so much through the immense amount of stories where directors describe their process on a certain film, producers recount how they got a certain project greenlit, or actors share what it was like working on set.
Alot of times, these stories will be personal, but they often contain a lot of insight into how successful filmmakers make their movies. I’d advise anyone looking to learn more about the industry to read articles, listen to podcasts with filmmakers, and try to absorb as much as possible.
Just Ask
I think one of the worst traits of this industry is that everyone tends to pretend like they know what they are doing - when, in fact, I’d argue almost no one knows what they are doing.
Even some of the most successful filmmakers are still trying to figure things out. I mean, that’s the point of filmmaking, right? You have an idea, and you have to figure out how to make it come to life.
Therefore, if you have a question about a certain aspect of making a film - just ask. Reach out to the filmmakers. Send a message to members of the industry. Connect with other screenwriters. Most of the time, people want to talk about their work. They want to help you cause they have been in your shoes.
And if they don’t, it’s likely cause they are either too busy (which is okay), or they suck, so move on. There are plenty of good people in this industry who want to help others get better, so don’t be afraid to just ask.
Thanks for reading! On Wednesday, we’ll be back with another post on the Oscars, and I will be sharing my five favorite underrated movies of the year…
🎞️ Five of the below-the-line categories and where their races are at before the Oscars
🎬 A list of my five favorite lesser-known movies of the past year and where to watch them
🗞️ Another round of updates from the latest news, happenings, and events in the industry